Last updated on September 18th, 2023

This baked mac and cheese recipe is based on a family recipe with a couple of twists. Bonus sweet potatoes add flavor and nutrients to your homemade mac and cheese. And no need for a roux, since the sweet potatoes naturally thicken the cheese sauce. Rustic sweet potato mac and cheese will become an instant family favorite and a go-to for gatherings!

Flexible Family Recipe

One great thing about this family macaroni and cheese recipe is that it’s extremely flexible. Use the ingredients you have on hand. You can sub in different pasta shapes, types of cheese, and the type of milk. For instance, no one in our house drinks cow milk, so Grateful GF recipes usually feature plant-based milk. But if you have milk in you fridge go ahead and use it for the sauce.

Sweet Potatoes

Using Leftover Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potato mac and cheese is a perfect way to use your leftover sweet potatoes. Our recipe calls for 2 cups, but it’s okay if you don’t have the exact amount. Anywhere between 1 and 2 cups of mashed sweet potatoes is enough to add to the sauce.

If you’re using leftover sweet potatoes it’s important to bring them to room temperature before you add them to the pot. At one point in development I added cold sweet potatoes to the cheese sauce and the melted cheddar cooled down into stringy chunks of cheese. Avoid this mess with sweet potatoes room temperature or warmer.

No Cooked Sweet Potatoes, No Problem

Start with 16 to 24 ounces (usually 2 medium) sweet potatoes, scrubbed clean with cool water.

Steamed Sweet Potatoes

Find a pot with a tight-fitting lid that will hold your steam basket. Fill with water to just below the level of the basket, and turn on the burner to high heat.

Peel sweet potatoes, cut into similar-sized pieces, and place in the steam basket. Cover the pot and when the water comes to a boil turn down the heat.

After about 10 minutes pierce a large chunk with a fork—the sweet potatoes are done when they are very soft. Add additional cook time if needed.

Turn off heat, transfer sweet potatoes to another container, and mash.

Boiled Sweet Potatoes

You’ll find boiling instructions in this double chocolate sweet potato brownie post (you might want to make extra sweet potatoes so you have enough for the brownies, too!).

No Roux Sweet Potato Mac and Cheese

What’s a Roux?

A roux is equal parts cooking fat and flour, used to thicken sauces like the cheese sauce for baked macaroni and cheese.

Does Baked Mac and Cheese need a Roux?

It’s a good idea to thicken the cheese sauce for baked mac and cheese, and the sweet potatoes lend thickness to the sauce in this recipe. We both know you have other things to do with your time, so go ahead and skip the whole roux process.

Gluten-Free Sweet Potato Mac and Cheese Variations

Experiment with different pasta shapes, such as penne, rotini, shells, and classic elbow macaroni.

Mix in another type of cheese:

• Gruyere is a classic addition to mac and cheese.
• Add a kick with pepper jack.
• Mellow it out with Muenster or Monterey Jack.

Top with homemade gluten-free breadcrumbs.

Serve with green peas for added protein.

Gluten-Free Sweet Potato Mac and Cheese Recipe

Ingredients

Instructions

Cook pasta according to package directions, for the least amount of time shown. For example, if instructions say cook 7 to 10 minutes, cook for 7 minutes (the pasta will continue to cook in the oven). Drain, rinse, and set aside.

Meanwhile, shred the cheddar cheese and cube the cream cheese. If sweet potatoes are chilled, bring to room temperature.

Preheat oven to 375°.

Melt butter in a large sauce pan over medium heat. Add coconut milk and heat until it’s steaming and almost reaches a boil, stirring frequently.

Stir in cheddar, a handful at a time, stirring constantly. Repeat with cream cheese, a few cubes at a time, stirring constantly while the cream cheese incorporates. Add in mashed sweet potatoes and salt, and stir until the sauce is well blended. Turn off heat.

Pour half the sauce in a casserole dish. Add pasta and cover with remaining sauce. Sprinkle generously with breadcrumbs.

Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until sauce is bubbling. Allow to cool 10 minutes before serving.

MAKES 6 SERVINGS

How will you make rustic sweet potato mac and cheese?